Memorial to honour the key workers

Florence Eshalomi MP: My constituents have highlighted that it important to honour the work of key workers during the COVID 19 outbreak. Is there scope to erect a permanent sculpture in a prominent London location in which the work and sacrifices which keyworkers have made can be remembered?

The Mayor: I acknowledge the importance of recognising the commitment and sacrifices of the key workers who have contributed so much to our city during the COVID-19 pandemic and marking our support for all Londoners who have been affected.
We are working with London boroughs, community groups and charitiesto explore how we can best show our gratitude to all those affected and respectfully commemorate those who have sadly lost their lives as a result of this pandemic. We will show our appreciation in a way that Londoners feel is most appropriate and will be sharing further details on plans over the coming months.

Bus Driver Safety

Navin Shah: As Londoners begin to return to work, and as middle door boarding on buses has now ended, can you provide assurances that bus drivers will be safe whilst at work?

The Mayor: Yes. The safety of everyone working and travelling on our transport network is of the utmost importance to Transport for London (TfL) and me. TfL has acted quickly to put a range of safeguards in place on buses in light of the latest medical advice, including sealing off the driver’s cab as much as possible, furloughing the most at-risk staff, making face masks available on a voluntary basis, using the best anti-viral cleaning agents and promoting social distancing.
TfL has also commissioned University College London’s Institute of Health Equity to examine the factors underlying the incidence of coronavirus in workers on our bus network. We will use the findings from this to inform how to further avoid or minimise infections and deaths among the bus driver community. TfL and I will continue doing everything we can to keep drivers safe and healthy at work.

Notting Hill Carnival preparations

Unmesh Desai: What preparations are taking place to police Notting Hill Carnival this year, following the official event having been cancelled?

The Mayor: It is crucial that all Londoners who want to celebrate Carnival are able to do so while remaining at home and safe from COVID-19. I am excited to see what the organisers are planning to keep the spirit of Carnival alive.
As always, the Notting Hill Carnival Strategic Partnership Group, comprising partners from all the agencies involved in organising Carnival, including Notting Hill Carnival Limited, RBKC, WCC, the NHS, London Ambulance Service, TfL, the MPS and MOPAC are working closely together to supportplanning across the Bank Holiday weekend, including preparations to manage any circumstances that arise from this year’s cancellation. I am confident in the MPS’s ability to provide effective policing plans throughout the carnival period.

384 bus [5]

Andrew Dismore: Will you commit to a review of the changes that are planned to the 384 bus route if they are implemented within a year?

The Mayor: Yes. It is standard practice that Transport for London (TfL) reviews bus routes, particularly when changes have been made. This ensures that the changes are delivering the intended benefit and allows adjustments to be made if necessary.

Night Tube Redeployment (2)

Keith Prince: Since the Night Tube was suspended, how many Night Tube staff other than drivers have been redeployed to work on the Tube?

The Mayor: Since the Night Tube was suspended, no Night Tube staff other than drivers have been redeployed to work on the daytime Tube. Night Tube station staff continued to provide services late on Friday and Saturday nights and early on Saturday and Sunday mornings, playing a vital role in keeping our stations open at these times. These working patterns, coupled with significantly reduced customer demand, mean that Night Tube station staff have not needed to be redeployed to work during outside these times. To do so would incur significant additional cost with minimal customer benefit.

Compliance with test, track and trace

Onkar Sahota: Will the Metropolitan Police have any role in ensuring compliance with the requirements on Londoners arising from the test, track and trace programme?

The Mayor: The Police do not formally have any role in the NHS Test and Trace Scheme.
The NHS Test and Trace scheme is currently voluntary. However, Ministers have repeatedly emphasised that it is everybody’s civic duty to engage with the Scheme to help stop Covid19. Anyone contacted by the Scheme must isolate in order to break the chain of transmission.
I agree that all Londoners, if required, should engage with NHS Test and Trace scheme in order to beat Covid19.
The public can find information about the scheme here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/.